Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot (Printable Version)

Layers of seasoned beef, cheese, and crispy tater tots combine for a comforting dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 1 cup diced yellow onion
03 - 1 cup real bacon bits
04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
05 - 1 cup ketchup
06 - 1/4 cup mustard
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1 tablespoon onion powder
10 - 1 tablespoon garlic powder
11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
12 - 24 oz frozen tater tots

→ Topping

13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
14 - 1/4 cup real bacon bits

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking.
02 - Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of margarine or butter to prevent sticking. Introduce ground beef and diced onions, breaking up the meat while cooking until fully browned.
03 - Remove the pan from heat and carefully drain off any excess grease to ensure a non-greasy base.
04 - Add bacon bits, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to the cooked beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
05 - Transfer the meat mixture to a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly.
06 - Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend uniformly over the meat layer.
07 - Place frozen tater tots in a single layer atop the cheese to form a crispy crust.
08 - Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until tater tots are cooked and cheese has melted.
09 - Remove from oven and evenly distribute the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese and 1/4 cup bacon bits over the top.
10 - Return to oven and bake an additional 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese melts completely and begins to brown.
11 - Let the casserole rest for a few minutes to set before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Allowing the casserole to rest improves texture and ease of serving.